Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez faced off earlier today before thousands of Filipino fans at the Quirino Grandstand on the first leg of the four city press tour to promote their November 12th trilogy fight.
During the first part of the event, typically of both fighters the answers they gave to the gathered press were cordial and largely free of the kind of pre-fight animosity that many press conferences are characterized by, with both complimenting the other.
Marquez said that he expected to see the best Pacquiao on November 12th, and that the move up to welterweight wouldn’t affect him as it seemed to in the past.
He also admitted however:
“I don’t know what will happen Nov 12, but I will prepare and be ready for victory.”
Which some may take as a lack of confidence on the part of the lightweight king although given the history of the two fighters is probably only Marquez being realistic. He remarked in an earlier interview that he feels that he may need a knockout given the outcome of their previous fights.
He later added:
‘There is nothing in the future, nothing in the Past… November 12th will only be the present.’
Although of course the primary reason for Marquez having campaigned for a third fight for so long is due to his belief that he won the first two encounters.
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Pacquiao similarly said that Marquez is still a strong opponent at the age of 37, and that he would be training hard. When asked why a third fight needed to happen Pacquiao said:
“I want to take away any doubt on who has won. All questions will be answered.”
Certain sections of the press accused Pacquiao of ducking Marquez after both the first and second fights, not to mention that Marquez himself along with many fans believe that the Mexican should have been awarded the decision on one or both of their previous meetings; a draw in 2004 and a split decision victory for Pacquiao in 2008.
Photos: Pacquiao and Marquez meet in Manila before first leg of press tour
Andre Berto looking to get back on track against Jan Zaveck
Marquez at one point also mentioned his previous attempt to make the jump to welterweight, in which he was summarily defeated by Floyd Mayweather, losing every round:
“Pacquiao fights with his heart and we will fight each other. Mayweather did not want to fight, he runs”
Oddly though Marquez not so long ago backed Mayweather to beat Pacquiao, saying to In This Corner TV last year:
“I think Mayweather would win because he has a great defense. You know, if you have a great defense, you can beat anybody. He’s quick and would use his long arms; he would win the rounds by delivering so many punches and jabs.”
Other than the previous two fights, the ease with which Mayweather beat Marquez may have provided extra incentive for Pacquiao to want to fight Marquez again.
A decisive victory over Marquez for Pacquiao, perhaps even a stoppage, gives Mayweather one less claim to being a better fighter, regardless of whether the two pound for pound greats ever actually meet in the ring.
Pacquiao was also jokingly asked whether there would be a fourth fight, to which he answered:
“If there is a 4th rematch then we will not fight, but instead I will challenge him to play basketball!”
(Possibly leading to second and third games if the first isn’t clear cut)
Eddy Roche, Pitt: “Pacquiao should stop Marquez no problems, his defense isn’t as good as it was and he’s slowing down”
